xii
Contents
Local Government in the Colonies
107
Civil Liberties in the Colonies
108
The Movement Toward Independence
111
The Declaration of Independence
121
The Rights Proclaimed
137
The First State Constitutions, 1776–1783
141
The Articles of Confederation
152
Suggested Reading
164
ap p e n d i x a . The Mayflower Compact
167
ap p e n d i x b . Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
168
ap p e n d i x c . Declaration and Resolves of the
First Continental Congress
171
ap p e n d i x d . Declaration of the Causes and
Necessity of Taking Up Arms
176
ap p e n d i x e . The Declaration of
Independence (1776)
183
ap p e n d i x f. Virginia Bill of Rights
ap p e n d i x g . Thoughts on Government
191
ap p e n d i x h . Massachusetts Constitution of 1780
199
ap p e n d i x i . Articles of Confederation (1778)
part 3.
188
230
The Achievement of the
Philadelphia Convention
241
The Problems of the Convention
242
The Delegates to the Convention
246
A Wide Range of Talents
248
Plans and Progress at Philadelphia
253
The Meaning of ‘‘Federal’’
255
The Virginia Plan: A Supreme National Government
257
Hamilton’s Concept of a Unified America
259
The New Jersey Plan: Checks upon Central Power
262